The China World Trade Tower III[2] celebrated its grand opening today, closing the third and most recent phase of the incredible China World Trade Center development. The 81-story mixed-use tower is now Beijing’s tallest tower, hosting a hotel, offices, restaurants, meeting and commercial space, as well as a street level pedestrian friendly frontage. And if being the tallest wasn’t enough, the stunning new structure designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)[3] is also an energy efficient eco-tower aiming for the title of LEED Gold.

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Today’s opening also celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the China World Trade Center, which originally opened August 30, 1990. The new tower has been designed to be symbolic marker for the Central Business District, hosting a mix of both private, commercial and public spaces. The tower’s base includes a four-story above-grade expansion to the underground China World Mall, a grand ballroom and retail podium with rooftop Pine garden, and landscaped water garden. Free flowing space and open courtyards provide a welcoming connection for Beijing[5]‘s citizens and visitors to the tower, furthermore offering a comfortable contrast to the existing dense urban environment.

Designed with engineering company Arup[6], the 330m-tall tower has been built to withstand the activity of Beijing’s seismic zone and even boasts a comprehensive energy and conservation strategy. The eco-skyscraper[7] has already registered for LEED Gold certification with a design that is underscored by the use of energy efficient LED lighting on the exterior of the structure, and a crystalline facade covered in fritted glass[8] and metal fins that act as vertical sunshades, maximizing interior daylighting for whole building.